Anna attended classes at both Bryn Mawr college and Harvard University.

She spent time in Japan with her father during the 1880's, and later after his death. She taught secondary education and was decorated by the Emperor for her service. Political events in the 1930's forced her to leave Japan, and she returned to the United States where she died.

She assisted Nitobe Inazo in the writing of Bushido: The Soul of Japan, and received assistance from him on her book on Japan, "Japan and Her People".